The College supports undergraduates as they pursue their academic goals at the University of Chicago. College Advisers help students pursue their academic interests and guide them as they plan a program of study leading to a degree.

The College partners with Career Advancement to offer students unique pre-professional programs, resources, and professional development to supplement the University of Chicago’s liberal arts curriculum.

“Students in the College draw their encouragement, inspiration, and confidence from excellent teachers. Imaginative teaching and learning are at the heart of our mission,” — John W. Boyer, Dean of the College

For the times when you’re not attending class, prepping for a class, studying for an exam, or sleeping, UChicago provides a wide array of social, cultural, intellectual, and athletic activities to choose from. So if you’re bored, it’s not our fault.

The University provides a number of organizations and programs to support students in the College. Look here for information on campus resources such as tutoring, transportation, and funding your education.

The College has been providing students with a world-class education since the founding of the University of Chicago in 1890. For over 100 years, undergraduates have thrived in an environment that encourages critical inquiry and independent thought.

Catch up on goings on with the College Newsletter or read one of Dean Boyer's Occasional Papers to understand the deeper history of the college.

Leave of Absence & Withdrawal

Leave of Absence/Withdrawal

From time to time circumstances might compel students in the College to interrupt their enrollment. These breaks in enrollment are formally recognized as leaves of absence (LOA). A leave of absence might be voluntary or involuntary, might occur while a student is in good standing or on academic warning or probation, and might be associated with a medical condition. Students planning any leave should promptly consult with their College adviser and also arrange to meet with one of the deans in the office of the College Dean of Students.

When taking a leave, students are advised of the conditions under which they might resume their studies in the College at a future date. It is the College’s expectation that students will not exceed eight cumulative quarters of leave over the course of their undergraduate career, unless otherwise provided for in this policy. Normally, students who have exceeded eight quarters of approved leave will be administratively withdrawn.

Students who decide not to return to the College must formally and timely withdraw their registration. To do so, students should contact the Office of the Dean of Students in the College before the end of the first week of the quarter the withdrawal is to begin. At the time of withdrawal, students are advised of the conditions under which they might resume their studies in the College should they change their minds at a future date.

Students who decide to return to the College after being on leave for more than eight cumulative quarters, unless otherwise provided for in this policy, or who have been withdrawn, either voluntarily or administratively, must be approved by the Faculty Committee on the Resumption of Studies. The College is not obliged to approve a student to resume the student’s studies. Students who are allowed to resume by the College are expected to complete their studies without further interruption.

Leave status often impacts registration status in the College, and both voluntary and administrative withdrawals of registration are described on the associated pages. Finally, this policy establishes the process for returning to the College from a leave of absence or withdrawal.

Voluntary Leave of Absence

Students will normally receive permission to take a voluntary leave of absence for up to eight consecutive quarters or eight cumulative quarters if more than one leave is taken. In view of the nature and rigor of the academic program, it is the College’s expectation that students will not exceed eight cumulative quarters of leave over the course of their time as a program participant unless otherwise provided for by this policy.

Students who have exceeded eight consecutive or cumulative quarters of approved leave ordinarily will be administratively withdrawn effective at the end of the eighth quarter. Petitions may be granted to extend a leave for up to 12 cumulative quarters for students fulfilling a military service requirement, religious obligations, as a reasonable accommodation for a disability, or otherwise as required by law. Students seeking an exception to the 8-quarter maximum must petition the College Dean of Students no later than the end of the eighth quarter of leave.

Students planning any leave should promptly consult with their College adviser and also arrange to meet with one of the deans in the office of the College Dean of Students as soon as the need for the leave arises. For full tuition refund, a leave of absence must be arranged no later than the Friday of first week of the quarter that a student is going to be on leave. For the tuition refund schedule, visit the Bursar’s Office. Other charges (room, board, course materials, etc.) may still apply and any refunds will be prorated accordingly.

Involuntary Leave of Absence

The Dean of Students in the College may place a student on an involuntary leave of absence according to the policies set forth in the Student Manual. Because of the College’s unique educational environment, a student may also be placed on an involuntary leave of absence in the following cases:

The student has allegedly violated a disciplinary rule of the College and the Dean of Students, in consultation with the Dean of the College, concludes that the student poses a significant risk to the safety or educational environment of the community.

The student is banned from campus.

The student has not registered as required at the beginning of each quarter.

The student withdraws from all courses. The leave of absence will be effective immediately.

The student drops below the minimum number of courses required to remain a full-time student without approval from the Dean of Students (see Registration Policies).

A student who has an enrollment restriction placed on registration and the restriction is not cleared by the deadline given by the restricting office will be administratively withdrawn. Before withdrawing the student, the Dean of Students will attempt to determine the circumstances preventing the student from resolving the restriction and will respond accordingly.

If a leave of absence is indicated, the student normally will be given the opportunity to take the leave of absence voluntarily. If the student declines to take a voluntary leave of absence, the Dean of Students has the authority to place the student on an involuntary leave of absence by restricting or canceling the student's existing and further registration irrespective of academic standing. When the Dean of Students mandates a leave of absence, generally such leave will be retroactive to the beginning of the quarter.

There will be no distinction made between a voluntary and an involuntary leave of absence on a student’s transcript.

When the Dean of Students decides that a leave of absence is appropriate, the decision and the conditions for resumption of studies will be communicated in writing. A student on a leave of absence no longer attends classes, participates in University programs, works a University job, or uses University facilities, must immediately vacate University housing, and may be entitled to refunds of tuition and fees. Charges for room and board will be refunded at a prorated rate. Ordinarily, a student placed on involuntary leave will not be allowed to resume the student’s studies until, at minimum, one quarter has passed. Any student who wishes to return to campus during the period of leave must seek advance authorization by the Dean of Students. The only exception is that the student may access the University of Chicago Medical Center for the student’s own health care treatment.

A student placed on a leave of absence will not be permitted to resume his or her studies until the Dean of Students makes a fact-specific assessment of the circumstances and concludes that the circumstances that brought about the leave no longer exists or the situation can be eliminated by reasonable modification or accommodation. See Returning to the College from a Leave or Withdrawal.

A student placed on an involuntary leave of absence may request, within fifteen days of the date of the decision, a review of the decision according to the policy presented in the Student Manual. The student must submit the request for a review of the decision and any supporting materials in writing.

If the involuntary leave results in a student exceeding the maximum eight quarters of cumulative leave from the College, unless otherwise provided for in this policy (see Voluntary Leave of Absence), the student will need to petition the Faculty Committee on the Resumption of Studies through the office of the Dean of Students in the College. The College is not obliged to approve a student’s return.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal – Voluntary

Students who decide not to return to the College must formally withdraw their registration. To do so, students should contact the Office of the Dean of Students in the College before the end of the first week of the quarter the withdrawal is to begin. Students who decide to return to the College after being withdrawn must petition the Faculty Committee on the Resumption of Studies through the Office of the Dean of Students. The College is not obliged to approve a student to resume studies. Students who are approved to resume studies are expected to complete their studies without further interruption.

Withdrawal – Administrative

Students who fail to return to good standing after a quarter of academic probation will be withdrawn from the College and banned from further registration for at least one year. At the time of withdrawal, students are advised of the conditions under which they may resume their studies in the College. A student who has been withdrawn twice for academic reasons is not eligible to resume studies.

Students who have exceeded their eight quarters of approved leave will be withdrawn from the College and must petition the Faculty Committee on the Resumption of Studies through the office of the Dean of Students. The College is not obliged to approve a student to resume studies. Students who are allowed to resume are expected to complete their studies without further interruption.

Students may be withdrawn from the College because of financial or administrative restrictions. Restrictions may result from a student’s failure to fulfill financial obligations to the University or to comply with University rules and regulations. Whenever possible, students are warned of an impending restriction and are notified when one has been imposed. In order to resume studies in subsequent quarters, students need to clear the restriction with the administrative or academic office which imposed it. If a student anticipates being unable to clear the restriction in a timely manner, he or she should meet with a dean of students as soon as possible to request a leave of absence.

Returning to the College from a Leave or Withdrawal

Students may return from a voluntary or an involuntary leave of absence, which has not exceeded the eight quarter cumulative limit, by notifying in writing the Dean of Students in the College. The deadline for notifying the Dean of Students is at least six weeks prior to the start of the quarter in which the student intends to return.

For students returning from a leave, notification to the Dean of Students by email is sufficient. The notification must include a statement expressing the student’s intention to return and describing the student’s activities while on leave. In cases where students are granted leaves of absence while on academic warning or probation, the statement must also include an explanation of what conditions contributed to the academic difficulties and how the student will ensure that the same conditions will not be present upon the student’s return.

In cases where a student’s leave involves medical conditions, the resumption of studies is contingent upon the condition being resolved or managed successfully. In making an informed decision to allow a student to resume the student’s studies, the Dean of Students will consider germane medical and other information available to him or her, including information provided in a timely manner by the student. The student may be asked to sign a medical records release, and to authorize direct communication between the Student Health Service (SHS) Director (or his or her designee) or Student Counseling Service (SCS) Director (or his or her designee) and the student’s medical provider(s) regarding the circumstances and the student’s medical information, and to authorize the Director to share the substance of those communications with the Dean of Students or others, as appropriate. If a student declines to authorize communications between and among the student’s provider, the Dean of Students, and SCH or SCS Director (or their designees) and/or declines to authorize the release of germane medical records, then the Dean of Students will make the decision after considering all of the available information and will do so without the benefit of information that may be directly germane to the decision. Additional conditions may be required of the student requesting to return depending on the student’s medical condition (e.g. requirements for continued treatment, professional monitoring of the student’s condition by a local treatment team, etc.). In such cases the student will be notified of the additional requirements prior to the student’s return. Students who need a reasonable accommodation for a disability in conjunction with their return to enrollment should promptly contact Student Disability Services (SDS) and follow the required protocols.

Students taking a leave while on academic warning or probation will remain on warning or probation upon their resumption of studies. Additionally, in the first quarter of resuming studies, students on academic warning and probation are required to complete 75 percent of their courses with a minimum GPA of 1.75, and all courses must be completed on time. Students returning on academic probation who fail to meet the minimum requirements will be withdrawn from the College and barred from further registration for at least one year. If a bar from further registration for an additional year results in a student exceeding the maximum eight quarters of cumulative leave from the College, then the student will need to petition the Faculty Committee on the Resumption of Studies.

Students on leave who have pending disciplinary cases will not be permitted to resume their studies until the disciplinary case has been resolved. If the time taken to resolve the case, or any sanction imposed as part of the resolution of the disciplinary case, results in a student exceeding the maximum eight quarters of cumulative leave from the College, then the student will need to petition the Faculty Committee on the Resumption of Studies in order to return.

Students who decide not to return to the College must formally withdraw their registration. To do so, students should contact the Office of the Dean of Students in the College prior to the end of the first week of the quarter the withdrawal is to begin. At the time of withdrawal, students are advised of the conditions under which they might resume their studies in the College should they change their minds at a future date. A student who fails to timely withdraw will be administratively withdrawn.

A student who has been withdrawn either voluntarily or administratively must petition the Faculty Committee on the Resumption of Studies. The College is not obliged to approve student resumption of studies. Students who are allowed to resume are expected to complete their studies without further interruption.

Petitioning the Faculty Committee on the Resumption of Studies

Students who have exceeded eight quarters of approved leave, unless otherwise provided for in this policy (see the Voluntary Leave of Absence Policy), or who have withdrawn either voluntarily or administratively are required to submit a completed petition to resume along with supporting materials no later than eight weeks prior to the start of the quarter of intended return. Please note: do not use Apple’s “Preview” application to complete this form or it may not display properly; use Acrobat software instead.

The petition will be reviewed by the Faculty Committee on the Resumption of Studies, which will exercise reasoned judgment in deciding whether the resumption of studies is appropriate. The results of the review will be timely communicated in writing to the student upon completion of the review. The College is not obliged to approve student to resume the student’s studies. The decision of the Faculty Committee on the Resumption of Studies is final and unreviewable.

In cases where a student’s leave involves medical conditions, the resumption of studies is contingent upon the condition being resolved or managed successfully. In order to protect the student’s privacy, the Dean of Students (or his or her designee) will consider germane medical and other information available to him or her, including information provided in a timely manner by the student, before the petition is forwarded to the Faculty Committee on the Resumption of Studies.

Upon return, students are expected to complete the requirements for the degree without further interruption.

Students returning from a leave of absence or a Withdrawal may be permitted to register for classes during the add/drop period. A resumption of studies conference with their College adviser or a dean is typically required in the first week of the quarter.

Note: Students cannot resume studies in the College if they have received a bachelor’s or an advanced degree elsewhere.